The tsetse fly is a biting insect which feeds of the blood of humans and other animals. The tsetse is native to areas of Central Africa and is directly responsible for the transmission of diseases of which the most common is African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis).
The tsetse fly is the carrier of the Trypanosoma brucei which is a tiny organism propelled by a small tail or flagellate which lives in the blood of the host, the tsetse fly. Once a human or animal is bitten by a tsetse the flagellate transfers to the blood of the victim.
The parasite then proceeds to reproduce and spread, with the symptoms developing only slowly in the victim. The parasite can cause severe infections to the covering of the brain (menges), the spinal cord and attack the whole central nervous system. The infection can prove fatal unless immediate treatment is administered.
There is another species of the flagellate organism, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense which results in a more continuing infection. This can last for several years when finally the sufferer falls into a long period of unconsciousness from which the victim does not awake hence the name ‘sleeping sickness’.
There are no vaccines available for sleeping sickness or other conditions caused by the bite of the tsetse fly. There are four powerful medicines available for the treatment of the sleeping sickness of which Pentamidine is recommended but prevention of the bites and controlling the locations of breeding of the fly can be carried out by using careful methods.
In affected areas it is advisable to dress in long sleeves shirts and long pants, which may be uncomfortable in hot climates but better than suffering the diseases caused by the tsetse fly bite!
The tsetse fly is the carrier of the Trypanosoma brucei which is a tiny organism propelled by a small tail or flagellate which lives in the blood of the host, the tsetse fly. Once a human or animal is bitten by a tsetse the flagellate transfers to the blood of the victim.
The parasite then proceeds to reproduce and spread, with the symptoms developing only slowly in the victim. The parasite can cause severe infections to the covering of the brain (menges), the spinal cord and attack the whole central nervous system. The infection can prove fatal unless immediate treatment is administered.
There is another species of the flagellate organism, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense which results in a more continuing infection. This can last for several years when finally the sufferer falls into a long period of unconsciousness from which the victim does not awake hence the name ‘sleeping sickness’.
There are no vaccines available for sleeping sickness or other conditions caused by the bite of the tsetse fly. There are four powerful medicines available for the treatment of the sleeping sickness of which Pentamidine is recommended but prevention of the bites and controlling the locations of breeding of the fly can be carried out by using careful methods.
In affected areas it is advisable to dress in long sleeves shirts and long pants, which may be uncomfortable in hot climates but better than suffering the diseases caused by the tsetse fly bite!
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